Seattle to houseboats: Follow rules, or leave

December 14, 2012 8:48 PM

Photo: Elliot Suhr/seattlepi.com

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The city of Seattle says this large Lake Union houseboat is likely illegal, because it resembles a floating home, but doesn't follow floating-home codes on size and environmental practices. The owner has said the house is a "vessel" that doesn't have to follow floating-home rules, the city said. Some City Council members have proposed an amnesty to help questionable homes become legal. Photo: City of Seattle. less

The city of Seattle says this large Lake Union houseboat is likely illegal, because it resembles a floating home, but doesn't follow floating-home codes on size and environmental practices. The owner has said ... more

The city of Seattle says this large Lake Union houseboat is likely... Photo-1933669.53946 - seattlepi.com

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Here's another example of a questionable houseboat. The city of Seattle says this Lake Union houseboat is likely
illegal, because it resembles a floating home, but doesn't follow
floating-home codes on size and environmental practices. The owner has
said the house is a "vessel" that doesn't have to follow
floating-home rules, the city said. Some City Council members have
proposed an amnesty to help questionable homes become legal.
Photo: City of Seattle. less

Here's another example of a questionable houseboat. The city of Seattle says this Lake Union houseboat is likely
illegal, because it resembles a floating home, but doesn't follow
floating-home codes on size ... more

Here's another example of a questionable houseboat. The city... Photo-1933664.53946 - seattlepi.com

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The city of Seattle says this large Lake Union houseboat near Northlake Way is likely
illegal, because it resembles a floating home, but doesn't follow
floating-home codes on size and environmental practices. The owner has
said the house is a "vessel" that doesn't have to follow
floating-home rules, the city said. Some City Council members have
proposed an amnesty to help questionable homes become legal.
Photo: City of Seattle. less

The city of Seattle says this large Lake Union houseboat near Northlake Way is likely
illegal, because it resembles a floating home, but doesn't follow
floating-home codes on size and environmental ... more

The city of Seattle says this large Lake Union houseboat near... Photo-1933667.53946 - seattlepi.com

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Notice the outboard motor on this houseboat? That allegedly makes it a "vessel," which, according to city code, must be "designed and used for navigation." But whether that motor can propel this mansion around the lake is another question. Some City Council members have
proposed an amnesty to help questionable homes become legal. Photo: City of Seattle. less

Notice the outboard motor on this houseboat? That allegedly makes it a "vessel," which, according to city code, must be "designed and used for navigation." But whether that motor can propel this mansion around ... more

Notice the outboard motor on this houseboat? That allegedly makes... Photo-1933668.53946 - seattlepi.com

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Here's another potentially illegal houseboat on Lake Union. The city says this houseboat is likely
illegal, because it resembles a floating home, but doesn't follow
floating-home codes on size and environmental practices. The owner has said the house is a "vessel" that doesn't have to follow floating-home rules, the city said. Photo: City of Seattle. less

Here's another potentially illegal houseboat on Lake Union. The city says this houseboat is likely
illegal, because it resembles a floating home, but doesn't follow
floating-home codes on size and ... more

Steve Bimson says his two-story, 850-square-foot houseboat at Boat World Marina near Gas Works Park would not qualify for an amnesty proposed by some City Council members. That's because Bimson's house is too tall to meet the amnesty's height limit. Photo: Steve Bimson. less

Steve Bimson says his two-story, 850-square-foot houseboat at Boat World Marina near Gas Works Park would not qualify for an amnesty proposed by some City Council members. That's because Bimson's house is too ... more

Floating homes in Seattle are required to be 18 feet and under, but this houseboat appears to be three stories. The city of Seattle says this house is likely
illegal, because it resembles a floating home, but doesn't follow
floating-home codes on size and environmental practices. The owner has
said the house is a "vessel" that doesn't have to follow
floating-home rules, the city said. Some City Council members have
proposed an amnesty to help questionable homes like these become legal.
Photo: City of Seattle. less

Floating homes in Seattle are required to be 18 feet and under, but this houseboat appears to be three stories. The city of Seattle says this house is likely
illegal, because it resembles a floating home, but ... more

Photo: City Of Seattle

Floating homes in Seattle are required to be 18 feet and under, but... Photo-3896288.53946 - seattlepi.com

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Seattle's houseboat community is colorful and eclectic. Legal houseboats, shown here, are technically called "floating homes." A landlubber's primer: Floating homes are often called houseboats, but not all houseboats can be called floating homes. House barges, vessels and illegal houseboats are not considered floating homes according to city code, and are regulated differently. (Joshua Trujillo / seattlepi.com) less

Seattle's houseboat community is colorful and eclectic. Legal houseboats, shown here, are technically called "floating homes." A landlubber's primer: Floating homes are often called houseboats, but not all ... more

The view from a floating home that was showcased in a Seattle floating homes tour in 2010.

The view from a floating home that was showcased in a Seattle floating homes tour in 2010.

Photo: Elliot Suhr, Seattlepi.com

The view from a floating home that was showcased in a Seattle... Photo-764452.53946 - seattlepi.com

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A sailboat is parked next to a floating home, the same way a car might be parked next to a landlubber's house.

A sailboat is parked next to a floating home, the same way a car might be parked next to a landlubber's house.

Photo: Elliot Suhr, Seattlepi.com

A sailboat is parked next to a floating home, the same way a car... Photo-764445.53946 - seattlepi.com

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A deck of a floating home.

A deck of a floating home.

Photo: Elliot Suhr, Seattlepi.com

A deck of a floating home. Photo-764444.53946 - seattlepi.com

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The living room of Elizabeth and Alan Shaw's floating home was showcased in a floating homes tour in Seattle.

The living room of Elizabeth and Alan Shaw's floating home was showcased in a floating homes tour in Seattle.

Photo: Elliot Suhr, Seattlepi.com

The living room of Elizabeth and Alan Shaw's floating home was... Photo-764462.53946 - seattlepi.com

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This two-story floating home was also part of a 2010 floating home tour in Seattle.

This two-story floating home was also part of a 2010 floating home tour in Seattle.

Photo: Elliot Suhr, Seattlepi.com

This two-story floating home was also part of a 2010 floating home... Photo-764441.53946 - seattlepi.com

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A nautical greeting adorns the door of a home showcased in Seattle floating home tour in 2010.

A nautical greeting adorns the door of a home showcased in Seattle floating home tour in 2010.

Photo: Elliot Suhr, Seattlepi.com

A nautical greeting adorns the door of a home showcased in Seattle... Photo-764481.53946 - seattlepi.com

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This is not a floating home, or a vessel. It is a house barge, a type of home banned in Seattle in the '90s, except for a few grandfathered ones. House barges are incapable of moving around like boats. They don't have to be hooked up to a sewer and they're supposed to not dump grey water into the lake. Photo: City of Seattle.

This is not a floating home, or a vessel. It is a house barge, a type of home banned in Seattle in the '90s, except for a few grandfathered ones. House barges are incapable of moving around like boats. They ... more

Photo: City Of Seattle

This is not a floating home, or a vessel. It is a house barge, a... Photo-3896289.53946 - seattlepi.com

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This is not a floating home or a vessel. It is a house barge, a type of
home banned in Seattle in the '90s, except for a few grandfathered ones.
House barges are incapable of moving around like boats. They don't have
to be hooked up to a sewer and they're supposed to not dump grey water
into the lake. Photo: City of Seattle. less

This is not a floating home or a vessel. It is a house barge, a type of
home banned in Seattle in the '90s, except for a few grandfathered ones.
House barges are incapable of moving around like boats. They ... more

Photo: City Of Seattle

This is not a floating home or a vessel. It is a house barge, a... Photo-3896281.53946 - seattlepi.com

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This is not a floating home or a vessel. It is a house barge, a type of
home banned in Seattle in the '90s, except for a few grandfathered ones.
House barges are incapable of moving around like boats. They don't have
to be hooked up to a sewer and they're supposed to not dump grey water
into the lake. Photo: City of Seattle. less

This is not a floating home or a vessel. It is a house barge, a type of
home banned in Seattle in the '90s, except for a few grandfathered ones.
House barges are incapable of moving around like boats. They ... more

Photo: City Of Seattle

This is not a floating home or a vessel. It is a house barge, a... Photo-3896290.53946 - seattlepi.com

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Here's an example of a houseboat that would be banned under proposed changes to Seattle's shoreline rules. Seattle allows people ("liveaboards") to live on boats, including sailboats, tugs, trawlers and yachts. But the city doesn't want to allow this type of houseboat in Seattle. Photo: City of Seattle.

Here's an example of a houseboat that would be banned under proposed changes to Seattle's shoreline rules. Seattle allows people ("liveaboards") to live on boats, including sailboats, tugs, trawlers and yachts. ... more

Photo: City Of Seattle

Here's an example of a houseboat that would be banned under... Photo-3896285.53946 - seattlepi.com

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Here's another example of a houseboat that would be banned under proposed
changes to Seattle's Shoreline Management Plan. The last time the codes were updated was in 1987. Photo: City of Seattle.

Here's another example of a houseboat that would be banned under proposed
changes to Seattle's Shoreline Management Plan. The last time the codes were updated was in 1987. Photo: City of Seattle.

Photo: City Of Seattle

Here's another example of a houseboat that would be banned... Photo-3896286.53946 - seattlepi.com

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Kevin and Linda Bagley live on "The Kevlin," 72-foot-long paddlewheeler on Lake Union. They're concerned about proposed shoreline rules that could change how the city regulates their home. Photo: Kevin Bagley.

Kevin and Linda Bagley live on "The Kevlin," 72-foot-long paddlewheeler on Lake Union. They're concerned about proposed shoreline rules that could change how the city regulates their home. Photo: Kevin Bagley.

Kevin and Linda Bagley live on "The Kevlin," 72-foot-long... Photo-1933665.53946 - seattlepi.com

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A floating home crosses Lake Union for Wards Cove, a floating home community in Seattle's Eastlake neighborhood, on Friday, July 22, 2011. The floating home slips at Wards Cove are billed as the last new floating home spots on Lake Union. The city is currently proposing a ban on new floating homes. less

A floating home crosses Lake Union for Wards Cove, a floating home community in Seattle's Eastlake neighborhood, on Friday, July 22, 2011. The floating home slips at Wards Cove are billed as the last new ... more

A floating home enters Wards Cove, a floating home community in Seattle's Eastlake neighborhood, on Friday, July 22, 2011. The floating home slips at Wards Cove are billed as the last new floating home spots on Lake Union. less

A floating home enters Wards Cove, a floating home community in Seattle's Eastlake neighborhood, on Friday, July 22, 2011. The floating home slips at Wards Cove are billed as the last new floating home spots on ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

A floating home enters Wards Cove, a floating home community in... Photo-1141350.53946 - seattlepi.com

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A crew from Fremont Tugboat positions a floating home in Wards Cove on July 22, 2011 in Seattle's Eastlake neighborhood. The slips at Wards Cove are billed as the last new floating home spots on Lake Union.

A crew from Fremont Tugboat positions a floating home in Wards Cove on July 22, 2011 in Seattle's Eastlake neighborhood. The slips at Wards Cove are billed as the last new floating home spots on Lake Union.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

A crew from Fremont Tugboat positions a floating home in Wards Cove... Photo-1141370.53946 - seattlepi.com

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A floating home crosses Seattle's Lake Union, destined for Wards Cove, a new floating home community in Seattle's Eastlake neighborhood on Friday, July 22, 2011. The floating home slips at Wards Cove are billed as the last new floating home spots available on Lake Union. less

A floating home crosses Seattle's Lake Union, destined for Wards Cove, a new floating home community in Seattle's Eastlake neighborhood on Friday, July 22, 2011. The floating home slips at Wards Cove are billed ... more

A crew from Fremont Tugboat maneuvers a floating home that weighs more than 150 tons into Wards Cove on July 22, 2011 in Seattle's Eastlake neighborhood. The slips at Wards Cove are billed as the last new floating home spots on Lake Union. less

A crew from Fremont Tugboat maneuvers a floating home that weighs more than 150 tons into Wards Cove on July 22, 2011 in Seattle's Eastlake neighborhood. The slips at Wards Cove are billed as the last new ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

A crew from Fremont Tugboat maneuvers a floating home that weighs... Photo-1141351.53946 - seattlepi.com

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Wards Cove, a new floating home community in Seattle's Eastlake neighborhood is shown on Friday, July 22, 2011. The floating home slips at Wards Cove are billed as the last new floating home spots available on Lake Union. less

Wards Cove, a new floating home community in Seattle's Eastlake neighborhood is shown on Friday, July 22, 2011. The floating home slips at Wards Cove are billed as the last new floating home spots available on ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

Wards Cove, a new floating home community in Seattle's... Photo-1141373.53946 - seattlepi.com

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A floating home is maneuvered into Wards Cove on July 22, 2011 in Seattle's Eastlake neighborhood. The slips at Wards Cove are billed as the last new floating home spots on Lake Union.

A floating home is maneuvered into Wards Cove on July 22, 2011 in Seattle's Eastlake neighborhood. The slips at Wards Cove are billed as the last new floating home spots on Lake Union.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

A floating home is maneuvered into Wards Cove on July 22, 2011 in... Photo-1141365.53946 - seattlepi.com

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A floating home crosses Seattle's Lake Union, destined for Wards Cove, a new floating home community in Seattle's Eastlake neighborhood on Friday, July 22, 2011. The floating home slips at Wards Cove are billed as the last new floating home spots on Lake Union. The city wants to ban new floating homes. less

A floating home crosses Seattle's Lake Union, destined for Wards Cove, a new floating home community in Seattle's Eastlake neighborhood on Friday, July 22, 2011. The floating home slips at Wards Cove are billed ... more

This is, obviously, a sailboat. Seattle city staffers included this photo in a memo on proposed shoreline code changes, as an example of a "vessel" on which people are allowed to live. Alleged houseboat scofflaws - the ones who live in things that look like floating homes, but don't follow rules for floating homes - have also called themselves "vessels." The city disagrees. Photo: City of Seattle less

This is, obviously, a sailboat. Seattle city staffers included this photo in a memo on proposed shoreline code changes, as an example of a "vessel" on which people are allowed to live. Alleged houseboat ... more

Photo: City Of Seattle

This is, obviously, a sailboat. Seattle city staffers included this... Photo-3896283.53946 - seattlepi.com

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Here's a tugboat, another vessel on which people are allowed to live. A very rough estimate of Seattle liveaboards - people who live on boats - is about 1,500. Vessel liveaboards don't have to follow floating-home codes on size, footprint and environmental and land-use practices. Photo: City of Seattle less

Here's a tugboat, another vessel on which people are allowed to live. A very rough estimate of Seattle liveaboards - people who live on boats - is about 1,500. Vessel liveaboards don't have to follow ... more

Photo: City Of Seattle

Here's a tugboat, another vessel on which people are allowed... Photo-3896284.53946 - seattlepi.com

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"Sleepless in Seattle," the 1993 movie that immortalized Seattle as a watery city of romantic houseboats.

"Sleepless in Seattle," the 1993 movie that immortalized Seattle as a watery city of romantic houseboats.